ruffle

1 of 3

verb

ruf·​fle ˈrə-fəl 

ruffled; ruffling ˈrə-f(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: roughen, abrade

b

: trouble, vex

is not ruffled by such barbs

—Bruce Anderson

2

: to erect in or like a ruff : to cause to rise or bristle

a bird ruffling its feathers

3

a

: to flip through

ruffle the pages of a book

b

: shuffle

4

: to make into a ruffle

intransitive verb

: to become ruffled

their dispositions ruffle perceptibly

—Life

ruffle

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: commotion, brawl

2

: a state or cause of irritation

3

a

: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b

: ruff entry 2 sense 2

4

: an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple

ruffly

ˈrə-f(ə-)lē 

adjective

ruffle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll

Synonyms

Verb

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• bug
• persecute

Noun (1)

• flounce
• edging
• border
• skirting
• trim
• fringe
• frill

Examples of ruffle in a Sentence

Verb

Her hair was ruffled by the wind.

He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.

Noun (1)

likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles

a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Behind her, the bed was neatly made, and an A.C. unit ruffled the leaves of a plant that hung off her armoire. —Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025

Zuckerberg’s aggressive poaching strategy has ruffled some feathers in the AI world. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025

Noun

It’s adorned with beautiful ruffles, which add a touch of romance to the suit, especially when paired with the vibrant floral pattern that’s on sale for $34. —Nicol Natale, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Outfitting said tiny dorm rooms with monograms, dust ruffles, and designer-level home decor has become quite the beast itself at Southern colleges. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple

Noun (2)

ruff a drumbeat

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1694, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ruffle

• ruffle any feathers
• ruffle feathers

Rhymes for ruffle

• duffel
• duffle
• muffle
• scuffle
• shuffle
• truffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

ruffle

1 of 3 verb

ruf·​fle ˈrəf-əl 

ruffled; ruffling ˈrəf-(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to disturb the smoothness of

b

: trouble entry 1 sense 1a, vex

2

: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff

3

: to make into a ruffle

ruffle

2 of 3 noun

1

: a state or cause of irritation

2

a

: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b

: ruff sense 2

ruffly

ˈrəf-(ə-)lē 

adjective

ruffle

3 of 3 noun

: a low vibrating drumbeat that is less loud than a roll